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Biology (BA, BS)

Biology, Ohio State's largest major, is part of the Center for Life Sciences Education.

Biology is the science that studies the processes fundamental to all forms of life. Biology strives to answer questions such as: How do biochemical processes control a cell’s behavior? How do organisms grow and reproduce? How do pollutants threaten certain life forms? How can human life be sustained and lengthened by medical advances?

The biology major is designed to expose students to a broad base of biological knowledge, to provide depth of experience in advanced topics, and to develop competence in scientific disciplines that are supportive of the life sciences (mathematics, physics, and chemistry). The biology major is a stepping stone from which students may go into research, various health professions, teaching, business, or service in government or independent agencies.

Why Study Biology?

The biology major provides a great background for graduate study (MS, PhD, MD/PhD), and easily accommodates most professional school requirements (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, allied medicine, optometry, etc.). The biology major is also a stepping stone to careers in teaching, business, service, law and scientific research.

In addition to in-depth knowledge of biological systems and concepts, you will develop a range of skills that will make you competitive in the workforce, including the ability to:

Connect major biological concepts with various areas of biological and physical sciences

Apply quantitative skills that are central to study and research in the biological sciences

Apply concepts from other scientific disciplines to analyze processes in living organisms

Major Details

Future Students

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Related Programs

Biology

Students who major in other areas, like engineering and education, who want a deeper understanding of the biological sciences than they would get in the coursework incorporated into their major, pre-professional students who wish to major in a non-science area, business students pursuing careers in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals, students in journalism, etc. will benefit from the biology minor.

Biological Bases of Behavior

Biological Psychology explores the relationship between the brain and behavior. The Biological Bases of Behavior minor will allow students to study behavior specifically from a physiological perspective.

Chemistry

The minor in chemistry consists of a minimum of 17 credit hours of course work: Chemistry 2210 (5) and an additional 12 hours of chemistry courses above 2210, with a maximum of 10 credit hours of Chemistry 2310 and 25xx. (CHEM-MN)

Evolution and Ecology

The minor in evolution and ecology focuses on the descent and interrelationships of organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. These two disciplines provide an understanding of the pattern of life we see today. (EVOLECO-MN)

Health and Society

The Health and Society minor is designed to expose undergraduate students to sociological theory concerning the operation of the health care industry and social trends in health care phenomena. Coursework focuses on realities of an aging population including the demographics and meaning of death, social factors in disease and illness, and more. (HLTHSOC-MN)

Microbiology

The Microbiology minor consists of a minimum of 14 credit hours of microbiology courses. This includes the required foundation course MICRBIOL 4100 (5 hrs), at least two additional courses from the 4100 series (6 hrs) and three hours (3 hrs) of electives. (MICRBIO-MN)

Molecular Genetics

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is a scientific discipline that investigates the organization, development, and function of the nervous system, and its relationship to behavior, cognition, and neurological/neuropsychiatric disorders. (NEURSC-MN)

Zoology

Zoology is the study of animals, from the simplest sponges to the most advanced arthropods, mollusks, and vertebrates. The minor in zoology provides a broad-based introduction to this field. (ZOOLOGY-MN)

Biostatistics

The program in Biostatistics is a joint venture between the Department of Statistics and the Division of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health. Students in this program choose between two specializations: a Methodology Specialization and the Public Health Specialization. (PhD)

Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB) encompasses the study of animals, plants, and microbes in their relationships among themselves and their environments, and in their common ancestry. The graduate program is planned by the student and a member of the EEOB graduate faculty who acts as her/his research advisor so as to meet the student's individual needs and interests. (MS, PhD)

Microbiology

Ohio State offers training in virtually every aspect of modern microbiology. Our PhD program in microbiology offers an individualized approach to graduate study in one of the nation's largest teaching and research institutions. You will actively participate in planning your graduate program while working with colleagues from around the world while pursuing your PhD. (PhD)

Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

The graduate program in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB) prepares students for careers as research scientists and educators in an academic or industrial environment. MCDB is interdisciplinary in nature and includes the combined talents of more than 130 PhD students and 170 faculty from more than 25 departments in six colleges. (PhD)

Molecular Genetics

The graduate program in Molecular Genetics gives graduate students the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in molecular biology at one of the premier research institutions in the country. Our faculty use diverse model systems to explore questions of fundamental interest to basic biology and human disease. (PhD)

Neuroscience

This interdisciplinary training program will provide you with the foundations of neuroscience knowledge through an integrated and wide-ranging curriculum. You will then choose an area of research emphasis and work one-on-one with successful and distinguished faculty. (PhD)

Affiliated Departments & Centers

Associated Facilities

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Park, biology, talks about the wide range of classes in biology and the resources at Ohio State.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Many biology students go on to careers in medicine or some other health profession. While a major in the biological sciences is not a requirement for medical school (or other professional schools in the health sciences), it has many advantages, with its exposure to the basic principles of life’s processes and the theoretical underpinnings of sophisticated medical procedures.

Biology students often choose careers as research scientists or college professors, for which students must first obtain a PhD. In the private sector, a master’s degree may be sufficient for a research or product-development position. Some biology majors, particularly those with research experience, find research assistant positions directly after obtaining their bachelor’s degree.

courses you might take:

BIOLOGY 3401:
Integrated Biology

A case studies approach is used to gain a better understanding of biological concepts and principles.

MICRO 4000:
Basic and Practical Microbiology

Provides an understanding of microorganisms and their interaction with the human experience.

MOLGEN 4500:
General Genetics

The principles of genetics, including molecular genetics, transmission genetics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, developmental and non-chromosomal genetics, recombinant DNA and genomics and the genetics and evolution of populations.

BIOCHEM 4511:
Introduction to Biological Chemistry

An introductory course in biochemistry dealing with the molecular basis of structure, metabolism, genetic replication, transcription, and translation in plants, animals and microorganisms.

EEOB 2520 Human Physiology:
Human Physiology

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Undergraduate Research

Biology students conduct original research with guidance from top scientists in a variety of different departments and colleges. Students have the opportunity to present their research findings at the annual Denman and Natural and Mathematical Sciences Research Forums, and to complete and defend a research thesis.

Stone Laboratory

Stone Laboratory is the oldest freshwater biological field station in the United States and the center of Ohio State University’s teaching and research on Lake Erie. Stone Lab offers college-credit hands-on science courses and undergraduate research opportunities each summer.

Biological Roots in England

The Biological Roots in England program offers an opportunity for students to learn about the history of science in a cross-cultural setting, involving on-campus study and travel to sites of special interest in England.

HELIX/Tri-Beta

HELIX/Tri-Beta is an honorary and professional society for students of the biological sciences. Its activities are designed to stimulate interest, scholarly attainment, and investigation in the biological sciences, and to promote the dissemination of information and new interpretations among students of the life sciences.